Ants appear to be quite innocuous to a lot of people. In most temperate climates, ants do very little damage, although red ants bite people all over the planet. However, there are more serious ants in warmer countries and some of these ants can even be the cause of for hospitalzations and even a few fatalities. Red ant bites itch and even hurt, but picture a baby falling onto a red ant nest.
What if that infant fell onto a fire ant nest or a red carpenter ant nest? Carpenter ants can be an inch (25 mm) long and a bite can draw blood. There are poisonous ants in South America and exploding ants in Southeast Asia, although they will not kill humans. Soldier ants are quite frightening too. In fact, the amount of dangerous ants in the warmer countries can be worrying.
Indeed, only a fortnight ago, my male dog was plastered in big red marks all over his stomach and under carriage. He was obviously in great pain when he walked and was off his food. It has been very hot here in Thailand this summer because the monsoon was late, so he probably dug a shallow hole in the soil to keep cool. He was probably swarmed by ants while he was asleep, but could not shake them off. He was in a very bad way for three days.
Some ants are vegetarians but others will gladly eat meat, if it is available. Most ants will eat dead insects and small, dead animals. Some will also assault fit animals, including humans, if they feel threatened.
One problem is that insects can become resistant to chemical controls and sometimes this resistance is localized, so it is better not to use chemicals if you can do anything about it. Chemicals can also present a danger to children, which makes storing them and using them even more risky.
Boric acid is a by-product of boron which is a natural product. Boric acid is extremely good at destroying insects that take food back to their colonies, so this includes ants and termites. It can be mixed with sugar and water to make it more appealing to ants or can be spread around the garden with no danger. It is risk-free to children and pets alike.
Cayenne pepper is another deterrent-cum-killer. Grow your own cayenne peppers, blend them and add to boiling water, then spray over ants and ant runs when it has cooled. It will not kill a colony, but it will stop foraging ants.
Corn meal is a method of ant and cockroach extermination. Spread it about and when the insects eat it, it will expand up with their digestive juices and cause them to explode. Not very nice, but satisfying all the same.
There are other biological remedies for destroying or deterring insects too, some are favourites of one country or local people. Why don't you ask around the older people where you live and find out what their parents used to make use of to control ants and other insects the natural way?
What if that infant fell onto a fire ant nest or a red carpenter ant nest? Carpenter ants can be an inch (25 mm) long and a bite can draw blood. There are poisonous ants in South America and exploding ants in Southeast Asia, although they will not kill humans. Soldier ants are quite frightening too. In fact, the amount of dangerous ants in the warmer countries can be worrying.
Indeed, only a fortnight ago, my male dog was plastered in big red marks all over his stomach and under carriage. He was obviously in great pain when he walked and was off his food. It has been very hot here in Thailand this summer because the monsoon was late, so he probably dug a shallow hole in the soil to keep cool. He was probably swarmed by ants while he was asleep, but could not shake them off. He was in a very bad way for three days.
Some ants are vegetarians but others will gladly eat meat, if it is available. Most ants will eat dead insects and small, dead animals. Some will also assault fit animals, including humans, if they feel threatened.
One problem is that insects can become resistant to chemical controls and sometimes this resistance is localized, so it is better not to use chemicals if you can do anything about it. Chemicals can also present a danger to children, which makes storing them and using them even more risky.
Boric acid is a by-product of boron which is a natural product. Boric acid is extremely good at destroying insects that take food back to their colonies, so this includes ants and termites. It can be mixed with sugar and water to make it more appealing to ants or can be spread around the garden with no danger. It is risk-free to children and pets alike.
Cayenne pepper is another deterrent-cum-killer. Grow your own cayenne peppers, blend them and add to boiling water, then spray over ants and ant runs when it has cooled. It will not kill a colony, but it will stop foraging ants.
Corn meal is a method of ant and cockroach extermination. Spread it about and when the insects eat it, it will expand up with their digestive juices and cause them to explode. Not very nice, but satisfying all the same.
There are other biological remedies for destroying or deterring insects too, some are favourites of one country or local people. Why don't you ask around the older people where you live and find out what their parents used to make use of to control ants and other insects the natural way?
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the author of this article writes on many subjects, but is at present involved with Getting Rid Of Carpenter Ants. If you would like to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at Killing Carpenter Ants.
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